Thursday, July 26, 2018

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Penny Estelle + BONUS + giveaway

 

UNDER A MULBERRY MOON is a beautifully crafted anthology compiled by talented authors.

Each day for the next nine days, each author will have a turn letting us get to know them. But first... the ladies have a gift for EVERYONE who stops by... a free download of MEDLEYS & MUSINGS - a sampling of every story from Under the Mulberry Moon.  Go HERE to download your copy


But that's not all!!!!   Three of the participating authors will each be giving away a copy of UNDER A MULBERRY MOON to lucky visitors who leave a comment. You MUST leave a comment ABOUT THE ANTHOLOGY to qualify. So comment about one or all of the stories the authors share. Each comment will be assigned a number. Then on Thursday July 26th, I will select 3 winners using Random.org


Let's meet Penny:


BIO:

Hi everybody! My name Is Penny Estelle. I write for all ages, from the early reader to adults.  My books range from pictures books for the little ones, to fantasy, time-travel adventures for ages 9 to 13.
I also write romance adult stories in many genres.  These include contemporaries, paranormal and historical westerns, written under P. A. Estelle.

Here are my FIVE for Penny:

I’m always asked ‘where do you get your ideas’. So, where do you get yours?

Great question and I wish I had a snappy answer.  The truth is it normally takes me a     while, a few days, to come up with a story idea, and then it’s either the beginning, middle  or end of the story and I write around that.

Which comes first, the story, the characters, or the setting?
Normally the setting, but sometimes the story.  But it’s never the characters!    

Which of your heroines most represent you, or the ‘you’ you’d like to be? Why?
I have a few contemporary stories where the heroines are like me.  These women don’t take a lot of….garbage…..from the heroes. They won’t be walked all over and they stick to their guns!  In all my historical westerns my heroines are very sweet and loving.  I wish I were more like them!  LOL

What is the single most important part of writing for you?
That my story holds the readers’ interest.  I’ve picked up so many books and never finished them.  Not because of editing or offensive language, etc., but because the storyline is just boring. 


What’s the most romantic thing a guy can do (or has done) for you?
It was my birthday and my hubby said, “Come on, let’s go to breakfast.”  He drove me to the airport and we got on a plane and went to San Diego.  There’s a little dive that I have always loved.  Had a breakfast burrito, sat on the beach for an hour and then flew home.  It was awesome!

Here's Penny's Three:

If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why? 
I would have to say…..Hannah: Bride of Iowa.  Probably because there were so many authors involved, I was extremely focused.  I came up with a great twist in the story and I loved how it all came together.  I also feel it was some of my best writing!

What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I hike every morning, I play water volleyball and pickleball.  I love being outdoors BUT when I finish a book I treat myself by buying a jigsaw puzzle.  I love putting those together and it relaxes me.

If money were not an object, where would you most like to travel?
UGH, so many places, but I really want to see the northern lights from Iceland (but you have to go in the winter – BRRRRR)  Or be pampered in Bora Bora!

Your story in the anthology is THE WIDOW BUSY A GROOM:


BLURB:
The year is eighteen sixty-eight. Like every state in America, the Civil War has taken its toll. Mass casualties leave women to survive on their own, raise children without fathers, and run ranches, homes and businesses without help. Meadow Creek, Kansas is no different.
Reverend Strong strives to find a solution for his town. He contacts clergymen in other states and discovers women aren’t the only ones devastated by war. The men fortunate enough to make it home soon realize they've lost everything and must start new lives. .  
Katherine Parnell owns Maggie’s Baked Goods. Ever since her husband was forced to fight for the Confederacy, she and her son, Timmy, have been fighting their own battles. She might need a man, but has no intention of marrying again. She informs the good Reverend of that in no uncertain terms. .
Jim Sutton has demons of his own and comes to Meadow Creek to start over. He has no desire to get married either. On more than one occasion, he comes to Katherine’s aid and finds himself smiling around her and the boy, something he hasn’t done in years. When Jim lands in jail, the woman whose green eyes haunt his dreams at night is the only one who can help him.
Can Katherine and Jim find love again or will ghosts from their pasts keep happiness at bay?


EXCERPT:
    “What has you in such a tizzy?”
    “I had to deliver breakfast to the jail this morning and do you know who Marshal Spearman has locked up? Chester Parnell, that’s who!” She didn’t give her friend a chance to answer. “He got in a fight with some man and broke up some things in the saloon! But that’s not all! I found out after Nathan went for Doc Owens, who was drunk in the saloon, that he got in this fight with a man protecting your honor!”
    Katherine’s face paled. “Why was a doctor needed?” Her voice was almost a whisper.
    “Well,” Becky replied, looking everywhere but at Katherine, “after I threw his breakfast all over him, I sort of yelled at him about things that happened with you and the Parnells.” Kathrine’s mouth dropped open. “Please don’t be angry with me. I just saw red when I noticed it was him standing there.”
    “The doctor?” Katherine persisted.
    “This man, in the other cell, reached through and grabbed Chester’s shirt. He pulled him so hard against the cell, his head got cut. He did it a few more times, knocking Chester senseless, not that that would have been hard.”
    “I’ve never seen him around town before but Nathan told me his name.” She pursed her lips. “Let me try and remember. It was something like…”
    “Jim Sutton.”


I love how you turn the tables and have the Heroine buying the groom. I can't wait to read this one!


You can purchase your copy of UNDER A MULBERRY MOON to read this and the other great stories at the following locations:

AMAZON USA           AMAZON INDIA        AMAZON CANADA   

AMAZON AUSTRALIA       AMAZON UK 

You'll find Penny at these Social Media sites:

WEBSITE     BLOG     TWITTER     FB     PINTEREST


10 comments:

  1. Good morning! Thanks so much, Angela, for letting me talk a little bit about my story, The Widow Buys A Groom....AND for spotlighting Under A Mulberry Moon. You are the best!

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    1. My pleasure, Penny! Loving the anthology. Review coming soon

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  2. A great twist in the normal storyline, Penny ‘s story is a wonderful addition to the anthology!

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  3. So nice to get to know you better. I loved your story of how your husband surprised you. What a sweet thing to do and a wonderful memory. I like puzzles too and would like to see the northern lights. Enjoyed your story in the anthology.

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  4. Hello Penny Estelle and Angela - Penny, what a lovely picture of you in that chair! Thanks so much Angela for hosting yet another FAB author on your blog. We really enjoyoed working with Penny. She's such a team player. I think everyone will love her story from Under A Mulberry Moon.

    We hope you give our western romance anthology a try!
    Best, Keta
    @ketadiablo

    Waving at the lovely ANGELA DRAKE who supports all authors in her endeavors. You rock, Angela

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    1. Thanks, Keta. I do try to be that 'team player' as well :-)

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  5. Hi, Penny. Nice to see you. Love your story.

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  6. This is a great story, Penny! I also was in the American Mail-Order Bride project with a Washington story. Jacquie Rogers and Carra Copelin also were in on that project. Wasn't it a great idea? Wishing you continued success!
    Angela, thanks again for your generosity!

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  7. Thank you for featuring Penny today. I love her writing, and especially enjoyed her story from this anthology.

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